High Court freezes six vehicles linked to Embu MCA in Ksh111.5 million graft case
High Court freezes six vehicles linked to Embu MCA in Ksh111.5 million graft case
The High Court has frozen six vehicles and a parcel of land linked to an Embu MCA as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) seeks to recover Ksh111.5 million allegedly obtained through illegal county contracts.
Justice Joseph Kipkoech Biomdo issued the orders after the commission asked the court to preserve the assets pending the hearing and determination of its case.
“Consequently, payments received pursuant to the subject contracts constituted proceeds of corruption or related to corruption,” EACC wrote in court filings.
The assets include five vehicles, a grader, a loader, which the commission claimed were acquired using proceeds from the disputed contracts.
Additionally, the EACC alleged that part of the funds was used to purchase land in Mbeti South Ward, Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County, valued at Ksh9.1 million in 2019.
The MCA, who represents Mbeti North Ward and serves as Majority Leader of the Embu County Assembly, is accused of securing 20 road construction and maintenance contracts from the county government between the 2017/18 and 2023/24 financial years.
The contracts were valued at Ksh111,577,188.75 and were awarded to five companies allegedly associated with the MCA and his spouse.
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According to court documents, the MCA was a director of two of the companies, while his spouse held directorship positions in three others alongside her sister.
Thus, EACC also wants companies linked to his spouse to surrender about Ksh84 million allegedly received from the county government.
The commission alleged that the MCA failed to disclose his interests in the companies while serving as an elected official and entering into contracts with the county government.
EACC said the alleged conduct amounted to a conflict of interest and abuse of office under the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.
The case is scheduled for hearing on September 14 when the court will consider the EACC’s application for recovery of the alleged proceeds.
In recent months, several public officers have faced scrutiny as the EACC pursues corruption cases, including former Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria, who is facing fresh charges over alleged irregularities involving Ksh351 million.
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